New Traffic Light Eases Safety Concerns

Posted:
Wednesday, April 16, 2014 7:35 PM EDT

DOVER, Del.- Drivers on Route 8 in Dover this week may have noticed new traffic light installed by the Delaware Department of Transportation to help with traffic and safety. DelDOT says there used to be a blinking yellow light a few blocks away at Ridgley Road, but now there will not be a need for the both of them.

The intersection is right next to Booker T. Washington Elementary School.

“We were approached by the city of Dover and Capital School District,” said Sandy Roumillat the Chief of Community Relations at DelDOT. “They were looking at the recirculation plan getting buses in and out of the campus of the elementary school.”

Before installing the new light, the only thing controlling traffic at the intersection was two stop signs on Weston Road.

“We really feel this is going to be the better location to have safety for both the buses coming out and any children that walk to school that need to cross that location,” said Roumillat.

Some people thought the intersection was unsafe and they hope the sign helps.

“I feel as though it’s better,” said Matthew Williams of Dover. “It’s pedestrian friendly. It won’t cause as much traffic drama, like stopping and it’s been a couple of accidents here.”

“I think it’s going to help,” said Mary Kulp of Smyrna. “They have a lot of accidents here and people don’t want to wait for the stop sign.”

But there are some concerns about how drivers may react to the new lights. Concerns are that they will use nearby business parking lots to avoid it.

“It might be a problem people going through the parking lot,” said Kulp.

Starting Thursday the lights will be uncovered and become flash operations. They will blink yellow to help get drivers accustomed to the new lights. Starting Monday, the lights will become fully operational and blink red, yellow and green.

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